Teaching, learning and assessment 2026/2027
Here's all the support you need for 2026/27 vocational qualifications in one place. We'll keep this page updated as you work through termtime checkpoints and exam series, right up until you issue results.
Last updated: 18 September 2026
Welcome back
We know you'll be busy settling into the new school year, so here's everything you need to help you get started this autumn and stay on track for the rest of the year.
Your new termtime checkpoint and key dates guide is here
This guide brings together all the important milestones, deadlines and actions you'll need throughout the year.
But it's more than a list of dates; you'll also find a round-up of the guidance, training, resources and support available across the academic year, along with opportunities to join us at events and webinars designed to help you stay informed and connected.
We recommend bookmarking the guide and coming back to it throughout the year.
Share it with exams officers, quality nominees, teachers and other colleagues involved in delivery so everyone understands what's coming up, what's expected and where to go for help.
Your key actions for autumn
Tie up any remaining post-results requests
The deadline to submit reviews of marking and moderation and access to scripts requests is 24 September, so make sure you’ve submitted any remaining requests by then for summer 2026 results. You’ll find information about the different services available for each unit and what they involve on our post-results services page.
Find out more about our post-results services
Register your students
The deadline to register students on BTEC Level 2 and Level 3 programmes following the academic year is 1 November. This is essential for quality assurance throughout the year, and you won’t be able to make any external assessment entries for students unless they have a registration first.
The deadline to register students on BTEC Higher National programmes is 15 November.
Make your winter series entries
If you have students who’ll be sitting BTEC Tech Award assessments in the December/January series or BTEC National or First external assessments in the January/February series, you’ll need to make their entries by 16 October.
Need help making your registrations or entries? All our support is one place, including step-by-step and interactive guides:
Find entries and registrations support and guidance
Submit digital assessment plans for new cohorts
If you’re delivering BTEC Nationals, Firsts or L2 Technicals to new cohorts of students starting this September, you’ll need to complete digital assessment plans for those programmes by 13 November. Existing cohorts already studying these qualifications don’t need a digital assessment plan.
Key dates at a glance
Here's a quick overview of your autumn term deadlines. These key dates are generally the responsibility of the exams officer to complete, but they rely on support from teachers, quality nominees, and senior leaders. That’s why it’s important that everyone knows what these dates are and works together to meet them.
| Date | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 16 October 2026 | Entry deadline for the BTEC Tech Award Dec/Jan series and BTEC Firsts and Nationals Jan/Feb series |
| 1 November 2026 | Deadline to make your BTEC L1–3 registrations |
| 13 November 2026 | Deadline to complete digital assessment plans |
| 1 December 2026 |
BTEC cohort declaration opens for completion |
| 31 December 2026 | BTEC deletion deadline: make your BTEC deletions for students registered this academic year to receive a refund |
Catch up on what's been happening this month for vocational qualifications.
Receive the latest news and updates from Pearson about vocational qualifications.
Exams officers
New to the role? Tell us!
We’ve got a full support programme designed to help you get up to speed quickly and confidently, including regular exams officer webinars and modules in the Pearson Development Hub.
Quality nominees
Whether you’re new in post or a seasoned quality nominee, our vocational quality assurance managers are here to help you start the year strong. From clear, practical centre guides to live events and interactive resources, there’s plenty to help you feel confident and stay ahead.
Explore support for quality nominees at the home of quality assurance
Use our BTEC quality assurance year planner for a full breakdown of quality assurance processes over the course of the year.
Teachers
Our team of subject advisors are experts in their fields, many of them former teachers. They are here to support you throughout the year and can help with all your subject-specific queries. They offer monthly newsletters and one-to-one appointments, and you can raise cases with them via the Pearson support portal.
ResultsPlus is our online results analysis tool for teachers. Included as part of your qualification fees, ResultsPlus gives you a detailed breakdown of your students’ performance in Pearson Edexcel exams and BTEC external assessments.
We have a wealth of training events available for teachers, with both live, in-person events and recorded sessions you can access at a time that suits you.
Students and parents
We’ve produced a dedicated guide to BTEC 2025 results to help you understand how we assess and award BTEC qualifications and what to do you if you’re not happy with your results.
Replace your original certificate for your qualification, change your name on your certificate and more.
If you’re a private candidate looking for information on where you can take Pearson qualification exams, where to find past papers or if you’re not happy with your results, we’re here to help.
Contact us
If you need more support with any ongoing activities or have any questions, we're here and ready to help you have a successful start to the year.
Contact us thorugh the Pearson support portal
Post-16 qualification reform
You want to understand what's changing and what comes next.
See our dedicated page for the latest informaton about the future of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England, including timelines and funding guides.